Why Wander Inn is one of the best places to stay in Round Top
Visitors from near and far come to Round Top for the antique shops and shows and its endearing Old West-meets-new West personality. Wander Inn mirrors these aspects of the town and offers visitors a sweet slice of Central Texas life. For this reason, and so many others, we’re giving Wander Inn a BOSW Bestie designation.
And honestly, this is a place I’ll stay again and again, and I can hardly wait to tell you why.
Need more? Read more: Round Top: Where to stay, eat and wander
Where to find Wander Inn
About an hour and a half from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Wander Inn sits just off State Highway 237 outside Round Top. This ranch-meets-cozy hotel feels off the beaten path, but it’s easy to find, tucked behind the iconic shopping destination Junk Gypsy.
The drive into the property is half the fun, and the reward at the end of the gravel road is two homey, ranch-style lodgings: the Star House and Crown House.
Inside Wander Inn
Wander’s guestrooms are impeccably designed. Junk Gypsy founders Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith put the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail into Wander Inn that they bring to their flagship Junk Gypsy store.
Gypsy homages are peppered throughout the room, including a giant corrugated, light-up G-Y-P-S-Y on the wall and Gypsy-engraved glassware. Also mounted on the wall are a longhorn skull above a fireplace and, on the floor, a cowhide rug to match.
Everywhere I looked in my spacious room, a new feature stuck out.
Here are more Wander Inn room highlights to appreciate:
- A vintage record player
- Minifridge
- Keurig
- Tile shower surrounded by corrugated metal
- Bathtub (a big ol’ one with jets)
- Bespoke Wander Inn bath products
- And…
Then there’s my favorite guest room feature of all: Beyond the porch outside the French doors is a sprawling pasture, part of the 60-acre Junk Gypsy property. Here, guests can sit in rocking chairs with a cup of coffee and watch the longhorns graze.
Beyond the guest rooms
Wander contains other surprises and amenities outside its guestrooms. A fire pit is the perfect evening gathering space, and because of the extensive property surrounding the hotel, there are, as expected, many places to simply wander.
But Wander’s special touches don’t end there.
Each morning, a bucket of biscuits (wrapped in a red handkerchief) is delivered to guests.
Plus, the staff is kind, attentive and more than happy to answer any questions about the hotel and property. In my case, this was Katie, who also works at Junk Gypsy and is an absolute gem of a human being.
Wander Inn’s Junk Gypsy connection
You can’t talk about Wander Inn without discussing Junk Gypsy (which I’ve now mentioned seven times). This is because this place is more than a store; it’s an experience, and one that should not be missed.
As mentioned earlier, Junk Gypsy and Wander Inn share the same property and are just a short walk or even shorter drive from one another. Shoppers flock from everywhere (I know this because I asked people where they were visiting from) to check out the store’s clothing, home goods, bath and body products, jewelry and more.
Why Wander Inn is a BOSW Bestie
Wander Inn is a lovely place to stay during a Round Top visit, whether for a girls’ weekend, romantic getaway or solo journey. But what earns it a BOSW Bestie designation goes beyond its stylish guest rooms and sprawling Texas setting.
It’s the little things: rocking chairs overlooking grazing longhorns, biscuits delivered in a bucket each morning, thoughtful details tucked throughout the rooms and a staff that makes you feel genuinely welcome. Add the unmistakable personality of Junk Gypsy, and Wander Inn becomes more than a place to sleep between Round Top adventures. It’s part of the experience.
What to know before you go
- Room rates at the Star and Crown House are $195 per night on weekdays and $225 per night on weekends (specific rates are posted for holidays, special events and antiques week).
- Address: 1215 Texas 237, Round Top, TX 78954
To learn more, visit shopjg.com/wander-inn. Reservations can be made online or by calling 979.249.5865.
